.223 Rem/.270 Win Basics

[Kleab]

I'm just getting into the loading game for my rifles. I've done plenty of bulk loading for pistol cartridges, but nothing as far precision shooting or working up gun-specific loads.

I've already got the hardware, now I'm just wanting to get a last opinion before taking the plunge on the loading materials.

I'll be loading for my CZ 550 American in .270 Win., which will be used for game up to elk. It has a 24 inch barrel with a 1:10 twist. I'll also be loading for my Savage 14 American Classic in .223 Rem., which will mostly be used for coyotes but other varmint will likely be in the picture occasionally as well. It has a 24 inch barrel with a 1:9 twist. It generally saw the best results with 55gr.-70gr. bullets when using factory ammo.

So, I've listed what I'm planning on buying to start working up loads with. What I'm hoping for is advice on whether or not these choices are a good place to start. Please let me know if I list something that's not worth wasting time with or if I'm missing something that should be an obvious choice.

Thanks in advance!

.270 Winchester
Powder:
- H4831SC
Bullets:
- 130gr./150gr. Berger Hulting VLD
- 150gr. Nosler AccuBond LR
- 130gr./140gr. Nosler AccuBond
- 140gr./150gr. Sierra GameKing SBT

.223 Remington
Powder:
- H4895
Bullets:
- 60gr./64gr. Berger Varmint FB
- 60gr. Nosler Spitzer BT Varmint
- 55gr. Sierra BlitzKing

[CarJunkieLS1]

For .270 I think your powder choice is fine. I would choose the Accubond in what ever grain bullet your gun shoots best. My choice for .270 is IMR 4831 and a 130gr Accubond. Shoots 1/2 MOA at 100 yds at 3019fps in a 22" barrel.

For .223 I only have experience in the AR-15 platform and 55gr bullets. I've use H-335 and TAC with great results. I think you are on the right track though.

[Pathfinder45]

My 270 has given it's best consistent performance at 300 yards using Nosler 150 grain Partition bullets, Federal cases, CCI-200 primers and Norma N205 powder. I should decline to list the charge weight as it was a maximum load for my rifle delivering right around 3,000 fps over the chronograph. If you don't already have your powder, be prepared to substitute as availability dictates. As noted my rifle prefers 150 grain bullets. Slow burning powders are the order of the day IMR- 4831 and IMR-4350 have a great reputation for accuracy in the 270 but you may find that the heavier bullets may prefer even slower powders like H-4831 or IMR-7828 etc. If you have a chronograph and are going to experiment with near-red-line loads, I would recommend you use the slower burning, single-base, extruded propellants and weigh every charge. Start low and work up incrementally watching for signs of excess pressure. Use a good reloading manual or three. I shoot a lot of 130 grain bullets using ball powder thrown from a powder measure where I only weigh the charges 'til I get the measure adjusted and then weigh perhaps every tenth charge and any that look a little off in the case. But those are well below maximum for easy loading of shorter range practice ammo for plinking at water filled jugs usually off-hand at unknown odd ranges between 75 and 200 yards or so. I don't use a 223 so will defer to others on that one.

[hooligan1]

I took a new load to the range just last sunday, it was chronoed and shot pretty nice.
Its average velocity was 2817, and i had three of five under a dime at one hundred.
It is the 130 grn partitiom with H4831sc, i used a median powder charge for it and itvseed to perform decently....I also use the 130 grn Accubond, Ballistic Tip, Barnes TTSX,

Thats why I love the .270 win, it is bullet friendly...

[johnjohn]

I use IMR 4831 in my .270. Have used Nosler Partition 130 gr. Sierra Game Kings 140 gr. all with complete satisfaction.

[stnosc]

I handload for .270 (Rem 700) and .223 (Savage 12 and Axis) and I believe what you have are great choices.

Good loading....

[603Country]

Looks like you have all you need. But...if you are in the pig shooting business from time to time with your 223, you will want either (or both) the 60 grain Nosler Partition and the 65 gr Sierra Gameking. The Nosler is better for penetration, but I find that the Sierra is the more accurate.

[Slamfire]

H4895 is an excellent choice for the 223. It is similar but more advanced than IMR 4895 and I have tested and shot that powder with bullets weighing 69 to 80 grains, and I have shot those bullets with that powder out to 600 yards. I have buds who used H4895 in reduced yardage matches (out to 200 yards) with 53 ish grain match bullets and "it hammered".





Any of the 4895 series of powders is extremely flexible in the 223, an alternative, if you can't find AA2495, IMR 4895, or H4895, is Varget.

[Jay24bal]

I would suggest also trying some heavier bullets for the .223. With a 1:9 twist and a 24" barrel, you should be able to shoot up to 70 gr bullets pretty well.

I am admittedly a Sierra fan boy, and I love the 65 grain Sierra SBT Gameking out of my .223 for coyotes.

This is part of the fun in reloading for rifles in that you have endless choices and combinations to find the one load that will be best for your gun.

Good luck!

[Kleab]

Thank you all! The feedback has been exactly what I was looking for. In fact, Jay24bal answered one of my unasked questions. I wasn't sure if the GameKings would be a good choice for coyotes. My concern was over-penetration, but if they work, then who's to argue with that?

Thank you all again. This is exactly what I was looking for!

[Jay24bal]

My concern was over-penetration, but if they work, then who's to argue with that?

They do definitely work, but if you are concerned about over penetration, the Gameking would probably not be my first choice. I generally do not save the hides and hunt them as varmint. There is usually an exit wound. Not a huge, gaping hole but there is one. I do still stand by my recommendation of trying heavier bullets though.

[5whiskey]

I am admittedly a Sierra fan boy,

As am I, and I will also tip my hat toward them in recommendation. I shoot 130 grain SPBT game kings out of my 270 on top of 52 grains of win 760 powder and standard winchester LR primers. .5 moa and better all around, plus an excellent BC, plus excellent terminal ballistics in my experience. I don't know if it's just my rifle, or the particular bullet, or a combination of the two, but it likes loads on the "hotter" end. IIRC, I'm 1 grain under max load. I've tried 52.5 grains (.5 grains under max load) and it groups slightly better on average, but I also saw some mild pressure signs (yes, even though I was under max load... go figure).

*NOTE* I'm recalling load data from the top of my head. DO NOT use it without first consulting a reputable publication on loading data.

[Mike / Tx]

I have been VERY fortunate in that my .270 has not had much if any preference for powders. Seating depth is the key to all accuracy with mine. I have shot groups under an inch with powders ranging form IMR-3031 through H-1000, with every one the seating depth being adjusted within a .035" range with either 130 or 150gr bullets has been the ticket. I start out on the long end and work my way in and they just close up like a camera shudder.

The powders above are all great and I have also found some H-4350 loads which shot wonderfully. My current loads use the 130gr with IMR-3031 for the grandson and 130's with Ramshot Hunter for me. With the 140's I also use Ramshot Hunter or RS Magnum, and the 150's get H-4350. None but my own 130gr load, are much over the middle load data. With the 130gr load I use, it is the SST loaded over a max charge of Hunter, and it groups consistently around the 1" mark at 200yds. The best part is it fits the drops on the Mil dot Burris scope I have mounted on top to a tee. I usually only use this one for sitting out across a pasture looking for hogs. Makes a REAL impact even out at 450yds you hear it when it hits.